Well, we're 2 days into March and my kids are rebelling against the cold.  I took Amelia and went to Target the other night for some things we needed.  We happened to meander past the shoe section and found some adorable flip flops.  Since I knew we'd need them in a couple months anyway, we got them and she's been wearing them constantly since then.    My boys, seeing that their sister was wearing sandles, decided they liked the idea and put theirs on too, over their socks.    We are all more than ready for some warmth, tulips, and trips to the park. 

I'm struggling to remain upbeat lately, which usually isn't a problem for me.  I'm just tired, ready for fresh air, and in need of some outlet for all of my dcs boundless energy, not to mention my own need to fidget lately.  April can't come soon enough! 

I hope you all are weathering this winter weather better than we are! 

Tomorrow we'll start schooling normally again.  After 10 days of flu/cold, we're all back to about 90% health and I'm eager to get back to a regular schedule.  

On the upside, I have to say that homeschooling is a much easier way to do life when we're sick.  Because school is part of our lifestyle rather than something in the middle of every day and one more thing to check off the list, it's easier to stick it in when we can during crazy parts of life.  Last week when we were all sick, about the only thing that we COULD do was sit and read.  So, we read....ALOT.  We caught up on White Stallions of Lipizza, I Can Read It books, random books from the book basket and many pages from a World Atlas book that Ryan loves.  Some of it was school, most of it was just for fun.  Our throw blankets got more use last week than ever before, with all of us cuddling under layers as we shivered with fevers while reading books.

On another note, I've been reading through Proverbs every month lately (a chapter a day) in addition to my regular time in the Word.  It's amazing...I could read it every day for the rest of my life and each day would give me a new reminder of God's righteousness and how I can live that out in my life. Here are a couple that jumped out at me yesterday:

Proverbs 19:11

Good sense makes one slow to anger,
   and it is his glory to overlook an offense.

Proverbs 19:21

Many are the plans in the mind of a man,
   but it is the purpose of the LORD that will stand.

Proverbs 19:23

The fear of the LORD leads to life,
   and whoever has it rests satisfied;
   he will not be visited by harm.

As I strive, daily, to grow children who will be wise and righteous adults, these verses resonate with me.  One of the first verses we memorized this school year, during a particularly contentious few weeks, was James 1:19-20 (look it up!), which is a great compliment to Pr. 19:11.  I love how God's word guides us!

Speaking of time in God's word, I'm going to take advantage of a few quiet minutes to spend some time with Him before I rally the troups for some time of science.

So here's my first entry...not a whole lot to say but I wanted to join the bandwagon.